Winetour 2 – Le Minervois

Canal du Midi Olives & AOP Minervois *

The Minervois territory is a vast amphitheatre bordered by the Canal du Midi to the south, the Montagne Noire to the north and extending from the heights of Narbonne to the gates of Carcassonne.

To begin with you ‘ll enjoy a great journey inside the world of olive including the Olive Tree Odyssey : a guided fun visit through the olive trees introducing visitors to the history of the olive tree down the ages. It features special staging, sound and light shows, educational visits, multimedia screens and sound atmospheres all inviting visitors to explore the king of Mediterranean trees. eas… A chance to find out about growing olives in France and all around the world and a special chance to taste the flavours and typical qualities of the L’Oulibo olive oils and the Lucques olives from Languedoc! A fun, tasty experience with tips to enhance your dishes, recipe ideas, practical recommendations, little suggestions for health and cosmetics… A pure moment of pleasure and a journey inside the world of olive . You can also find a wide range of local products, olive oils, local olives and tapenades for sale with a hand-picked selection of Occitanie’s best regional specialities, with over 3000 products from our region’s top artisans.

Then we ‘ll be heading to the picturesque port of homps on the canal du midi to enjoy a wine tasting of the AOP and IGP Minervois wines along with the famous sweet wine “muscat de St Jean du Minervois”

Minervois Appellation

Géology
The Clamoux, Argent Double, Ognon and the Cesse all run down the Montagne Noire to the Aude and, over time, have created a series of terraces made from stones, clays, schiste and limestone. The landscape alternates between these terraces and limestone and clay marls.  The higher altitude areas consist of limestone plateaus.

Climate
Mainly Mediterranean with ocean influences to the west (Clamoux and Côtes Noires) with difficult winters in the Causse at altitudes above 300 m.

Grapes
Syrah, Mourvedre (minimum 20%). Syrah, Mourvèdre, Grenache and Lladoner Pelut (minimum 60%), Carignan, Cinsault, Terret, Aspiran, Piquepoul for the red wines (40% maximum). Marsanne, Roussanne, Maccabeu, Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache, Vermentino and small berry Muscat for the white wines.

Vinifications
Red : traditional whole berry following stripping.
Rosé : saignée or pressing.
white : direct pressing, sometimes partial vinification in vats. Muscat de Saint Jean de Minervois: natural sweet winel.

Key figures 5 000 hectares , 1100 producers , 30 cooperative wine producers , 222 private wine producers

maximum authorised yield 50 hectolitres/hectare

Production 155 000 hectolitres 94% red, 2% white, 4% rosé)

Sales 165 000 hectolitres 2005/06 General Distribution : 25%, Export: 28%